Arkansas House Sets Health Care Expansion Meeting

Arkansas House leaders say they'll hold a special meeting to discuss a Senate-approved proposal to use federal money to purchase health insurance for low-income residents.

Carter told reporters Saturday that House lawmakers would hold a special meeting on Monday to discuss the "private option" proposal that GOP lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe have negotiated as a compromise over the Medicaid expansion called for under the federal health care law.

On Friday, the Senate approved the measure, which would expand insurance for about 250,000 low-income residents.

Carter says he thinks the plan has enough support to clear the House despite a push from GOP Majority Leader Bruce Westerman to present a competing measure. Westerman says he's unsatisfied with the current proposal and plans to file his own legislation next week.